Illinois Public Media

Arts and Culture

All new “Prairie Fire” explores the work of extraordinary Illinois-based artists

 In March's episode, artist Brian Dettmer transforms ordinary books into extraordinary sculptures. "Prairie Fire" gets to know professional quilter Millie Sorrells of Macomb, Illinois. At 93 years old, her intricate work has garnered national recognition. Viewers will also see a performance by Mother Nature, a women-led hip-hop group that got their start here in Central Illinois.
IPM Newsroom
The Forsytes from MASTERPIECE. Premieres Sunday, March 22 at 8:00 PM Central Time.
Atomic Age Cocktail Party
Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a court jester holidn a guitar.

These Foolish Things (160)
Coming up, on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, “These Foolish Things.” It’s a show featuring song about being fooled or playing the fool. We’ll hear from Etta James,…
Afternoon at the Opera
A scene from Wagner's Tristan Und Isolde from the met opera house

Live from the Met: Wagner’s Tristan Und Isolde
On this episode of Afternoon at the Opera, Wagner's Tristan Und Isolde, Live from the Met Opera House. Saturday at Noon on Illinois Classical 90.9 FM.
Evening Concert

The Evening Concert on Illinois Classical
ILLINOIS CLASSICAL: The Evening Concert: MARCH 15 – 16 –17 – 18 – 19 – 20, 2026 
Weather Realness
Left to right: hailstones and hail damage in Bradley, Illinois from March 10, 2026.

Hailstones pelted Illinois last week. How they form and grow so large
A massive hailstorm fell across Illinois and a six-inch hailstone was reported in Kankakee Illinois, that could be record breaking. We go through how hailstorms are formed and…
Weather Realness
Tornado touches down on the outskirts of Pontiac.

Tornadoes ripped through Illinois and Indiana last week. Here’s how it happened and why
Severe storms last week produced destructive tornadoes that traveled from Illinois to Indiana. We go through how tornado outbreaks are formed and why they happened in the…
The 21st Show
a montage featuring Scott Solomon, a white man with a short beard wearing a navy bowling shirt with gold accents, sitting in front of bookcases and next to the binocular eyepieces of a telescope; the cover of

Do humans have a future on Mars?
It’s the official policy of the U.S. government to work toward putting people on Mars. Debates about that usually focus on cost and national priorities. Less considered is…
Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 6 - March 2026
We introduce you to the art of Brian Dettmer, get a special performance from hip-hop duo Mother Nature, and visit with quilter Millie Sorrells, who shows us creativity has no…
News Local/State

Celebration of life for Jesse Jackson to draw former presidents and Grammy-winning artists
Click here to watch a stream of the service in Chicago. Or listen to Illinois Soul FM 101.1 starting Friday at 11am.
State of Change

The state of the Illinois Prairie
State of Change 2025 looks at efforts to retain existing prairie in Illinois, as well as strategies to restore some areas to a more natural state.